Wellington’s newest and largest coffee shop has just opened. Coffee#1 is the latest branch of a chain with its headquarters in Cardiff. If you like your café on an industrial-scale, this is the one for you.

The new business occupies the former Woolworths in Fore St and is claimed to have 64 tables – although I couldn’t count quite that many on my opening day visit. It’s certainly been given some hard marketing, with uniformed staff out on the pavement giving out complimentary espressos.

The town already has about 10 retail outlets that serve coffee and hot drinks. Opinion is divided on whether Coffee#1 is one too many, with some residents fearing that the future looks bleak for small independents like the Chocolate Box on South Street. Others say that competition is healthy and that having the largest shop in the town centre empty is far worse for Wellington’s image.

What most people did agree on is that having Coffee#1 open for business is preferable to seeing Kentucky Fried Chicken open in the shop – one of the possible uses submitted to planners.

5 comments on “Coffee debate froths over”

I’ve just watched your video on Coffee#1. Very interesting comments. I’m all for new businesses coming to Wellington and opening up rather than seeing rows of empty shop fronts. Major high street retailers will emply local people and attract customers who may not normally come into Wellington and whilst here they will shop in the independent shops – so a win, win situation isn’t it?

The new coffee shop looks very smart and we are grateful that the empty store has been converted so professionally. The council is in a very difficult position in these types of discussions. We can’t use competition (ie too many coffee shops) as a reason to refuse planning permission. Concerns have been expressed about the impact that this shop could have on the excellent small cafes that we have in the town but our hands are tied. As far as the KFC issue is concerned there never was a planning application from them and I think it was probably just a rumour.

I suppose if you’re not a mother with toddler twins, a baby in a buggy and some shopping, you might not appreciate a spacious area to socialise with a few other mothers (in a similar predicament) over coffee on a rainy July afternoon! This is the scene I witnessed in Coffee#1 this afternoon. One size does not necessarily fit all. I will definitely continue to support the local independent coffee shops, but I can see why this place will appeal to some areas of our society. Where else in Wellie could a group of 10 teenagers sit around the same table, catching up and enjoying a fresh juice or smoothie?

Having been away from Wellington for a few months, this sounds like a nice addition to the town. Obviously it’s great to support the locals like ‘The Chocolate Box’…but variety is the spice, and all that! The sliding door front looks pretty stylish – I’ll definitely give it a go!